Swapnil Kusale wins Bronze, Completes India’s Shooting Hat-trick in Olympics

On a historic Thursday, Swapnil Kusale, the indomitable 28-year-old marksman, etched his name into the annals of Olympic history by securing India’s third bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. His podium finish in the men’s 50m rifle 3 position final was a testament to his grit and determination, and it joined the accolades of fellow shooters Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh, collectively cementing a remarkable hat-trick of shooting medals for the nation. This unprecedented achievement marks the first time India has clinched three shooting medals in a single Olympic Games, an accomplishment that solidifies the nation’s burgeoning dominance in the sport.

Kusale’s Olympic journey was one of perseverance and courage. Just a day before his historic feat, he became India’s first-ever qualifier for the men’s 50m rifle 3 position final. His road to Paris was anything but smooth; it was a testament to his unwavering spirit, having clinched his Olympic berth after a grueling competition at the MP State Shooting Academy Ranges in Bhopal, a mere three months prior to the Games.

His path to glory was fraught with challenges, each of which he met with resilience. The pressure of the global stage and the sting of finishing fourth at both the 2023 Shooting World Championships and the Asian Games could have been demoralizing. However, these near-misses served as a catalyst for his Olympic campaign. In Paris, he faced a similar predicament, struggling to find his footing amidst the elite after the kneeling and prone events. Yet, a masterful performance in the standing position saw him ascend through the ranks, vanquishing the ghosts of his past and ensuring his place on the podium.

Swapnil Kusale’s bronze medal victory is a beacon of resilience, a narrative of overcoming adversity, and a celebration of the unyielding spirit that defines an Olympian. It is a tale of an athlete who refused to be fettered by setbacks, instead, transforming them into stepping stones to glory. Kusale’s success is not just a testament to his innate talent but also to the indomitable spirit that propels athletes to achieve the pinnacle of success on the grandest stage of all.

Swapnil Kusale’s historic bronze victory, combined with the achievements of Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh, is an echo of India’s ascendancy in the shooting domain. These medals are not just symbols of individual triumphs but also a reflection of the country’s growing prowess and the deep talent pool that it harbors. As the world celebrates Kusale’s remarkable journey, it also recognizes the collective strength of Indian shooting, a sport that continues to rise on the global scale.

In the annals of sporting history, Swapnil Kusale’s bronze medal stands out as a shining example of resilience, perseverance, and the indomitable spirit that defines not just an athlete, but a nation. His story, interwoven with those of his fellow medalists, is a testament to India’s growing legacy in the realm of Olympic shooting.